Abstract: The present invention is a purified and isolated epithelial protein, peptide and variants thereof whose increased presence in an epithelial cell is indicative of precancer. One epithelial protein which is an early detection marker for lung cancer was purified from two human lung cancer cell lines, NCI-H720 and NCI-H157. Using a six-step procedure, the epithelial protein was purified using a Western blot detection system under both non-reducing and reducing conditions. Purification steps included anion exchange chromatography, preparative isoelectric focusing, polymer-based C18 HPLC and analytic C4 HPLC. After an approximately 25,000 fold purification the immunostaining protein was >90% pure as judged by Coomassie blue staining after reducing SDS-PAGE. The primary epithelial protein shares some sequence homology with the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) A2. A minor co-purifying epithelial protein shares some sequence homology with the splice variant hnRNP-B1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to zpep10 polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding the same. Zpep10 polypeptide is a testis-specific membrane glycoprotein. Zpep10 polypeptides would be useful for modulating spermatogenesis and egg-sperm interaction and would be useful to study or modulate these functions in in vitro or in vivo systems. The present invention also includes antibodies to the zpep10 polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acid molecules which code for the tumor rejection antigen precursor MAGE-8. Also disclosed are vectors, cell lines, and so forth, which utilize the nucleic acid molecule, and optionally, molecules coding for human leukocyte antigen HLA-A1. Use of these materials in therapeutic and diagnostic contexts are also a part of the invention.

Abstract: A substantially pure and isolated novel form of prostate specific antigen (PSA) is provided. The novel form of PSA of the present invention comprises at least one clip at Lys 182 of the amino acid sequence of a mature form of PSA. Preferably, the novel form of PSA additionally comprises one or more clips at a location selected from a group consisting of Ile 1, Lys 145, and Lys 146. More preferably, the form of PSA contains at least two clips at Lys 145 and Lys 182 of the amino acid sequence of a mature form of PSA. The novel forms of PSA exist at an elevated level in patients suspected of having benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and therefore may be used as a serum mark or an immunohistological marker to help distinguish BPH from prostate cancer. Antibodies recognizing the novel forms of PSA and immunoassays that detect and determine the novel forms of PSA of the present invention in a sample are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the applications of a novel cytokine, named THANK, for TNF homologue that activates apoptosis, NF-&kgr;B and c-jun N-terminal kinase. Such applications include using THANK inhibitors to inhibit the activation of NF-&kgr;B and to treat a pathological condition caused by the activation of NF-&kgr;B. Also provided is a method of inhibiting growth of a wide variety of tumor cells by administering THANK protein.

Abstract: This invention relates to single-chain polypeptides and their genetic sequences comprising a human cardiac troponin I N-terminal fragment and troponin C. The N-terminal fragment may or may not have the intact N-terminus. The single-chain polypeptide may be expressed recombinantly, and a linker or spacer polypeptide or peptide may be interposed between the troponin sequences. The single-chain polypeptides have utility as controls or calibrators for troponin assays, for the purification of troponin subunits and as an antigen for the preparation of antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel human inhibitor-of-apoptosis polypeptides, designated HIAP3, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, methods for producing the polypeptides, expression vectors and genetically engineered host cells for expression of the polypeptides. The invention further relates to methods for utilizing the polynucleotides and polypeptides in research, diagnosis, and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: Humoral and cellular immune responses against tumor cells and infectious agents are induced in a mammal using an antibody that binds with an epitope of an antigen that is associated with a tumor or an infectious agent, and that contains at least one &agr;-galactosyl epitope. Such an antibody is capable of forming a complex with cells that express the target epitope and with antibodies that bind &agr;-galactosyl epitopes. Suitable antibodies include molecules that contain at least one engineered glycosylation site in the constant region of the heavy chain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the relation of the TMPRSS2 gene to human cancers and its use in the diagnosis and prognosis of human cancer. The invention also relates to the therapy of human cancers which have a mutation in the TMPRSS2 gene, including gene therapy, protein replacement therapy and protein mimetics. Finally, the invention relates to the screening of drugs for cancer therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotide and polypeptide molecules for zapop3, a novel human member of the RING finger protein family. The polypeptides, and polynucleotides encoding them, may be used for detecting human chromosomal abnormalities. The present invention also includes antibodies to the zapop3 polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel tumor necrosis factor (TNF) homolog designated herein as TNF-related death ligand (TRDL). Isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided which encode TRDL. TRDL polypeptides are also provided, as are methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of TRDL activity.

Abstract: A human gene encoding a novel cyclin-dependent kinase termed hPFTAIRE and its expression products can be used to provide reagents and methods for detecting migrating or metastasizing cells. Compositions and methods for treating proliferative disorders and neoplasia are also provided.

Abstract: Increased expression of DR6 is associated with drug resistance of certain cells (e.g., cancer cells). The invention provides methods for identifying drug resistant cells by measuring the expression or activity of DR6, methods for identifying modulators of drug resistance, and methods for modulating drug resistance by modulating the expression or activity of DR6.

Abstract: The active, galactose binding site of proteins associated with metastatic tumor cells has been identified and sequenced. The polypeptide comprising the active site may be used as an immunotherapeutic agent. Identification of the site makes possible an in vivo diagnostic assay for metastatic cell as well as therapeutic methodologies and materials.

Abstract: Familial juvenile polyposis is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by a predisposition to hamartomatous polyps and gastrointestinal cancer. The present invention shows that JP families carry germline mutations in SMAD4/DPC4, a gene on chromosome 18q21.1. The mutant SMAD4 proteins are truncated at the carboxyl-terminus and lack sequences required for normal function. Methods and compositions for the detection and amelioration of FJP and gastrointestinal tumors are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions relating to activated Sgk and the association of activated Sgk activity with proliferating cells, including methods for inhibiting the growth of an undesirably proliferating cell by contacting the cell with a specific inhibitor of activated Sgk whereby the amount of activated Sgk activity in the cell is reduced. Specific inhibitors are disclosed, including dominant negative mutants of activated Sgk, an Sgk mutant or fragment thereof comprising an unphosphorylatable residue corresponding to Thr 256 of native Sgk, and an active Sgk-specific antibody or antibody fragment, especially intrabody, etc. A wide variety of methods may be used to contact the target cell with the inhibitor, especially introducing into the cell a polynucleotide encoding the inhibitor under conditions whereby the inhibitor is expressed in the cell.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for the screening and identification of agents having potent effects on the progression of the cell cycle. In one embodiment, the methods involve contacting a polymerized microtubule with a microtubule severing protein or a microtubule depolymerizing protein in the presence of an ATP or a GTP and a test agent; and detecting the formation of tubulin monomers, dimers or oligomers. The p60 subunit of katanin provides a particularly preferred microtubule severing protein possessing both ATPase and microtubule severing activities.

Abstract: A cancer immunotherapy method and composition for treating cancer in a patient comprised of vaccinating a patient with a vaccine comprised of the patient's own malignancy and an immunologic adjuvant, removing primed peripheral blood T lymphocytes from the patient, stimulating the primed T lymphocytes to differentiate into effector lymphocytes in vitro, stimulating the effector T lymphocytes to proliferate in vitro, and infusing the effector T lymphocytes back into the patient.

Abstract: Protein compositions and methods of use are provided for human Severin. The uses include the preparation of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies for diagnosing and staging the progression of metastatic tumors and other disorders of cellular growth regulation. Also provided are methods of screening to identify potential drug candidate molecules which modulate the human Severin activity and methods of use of such compounds to accelerate wound healing, or to treat a metastasis or growth disorder.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of prognosticating the illness development of patients with carcinoma of the breast and/or for diagnosing carcinoma of the breast, the method comprising a qualitative determination of T1 protein and/or T1-mRNA in a sample material obtained from the patient. The invention further pertains to kits for performing the methods according to the invention.